Color guide
Logo color basics
Logo colors need more than personality. They need to survive small sizes, different backgrounds, light and dark contexts, and real-world production constraints.
Test light, dark, and one-color versions
A strong logo color system includes full-color, black, white, and one-color treatments so the mark remains usable across backgrounds and media.
Keep contrast separate from mood
A color can feel perfect for a brand but fail when placed on a background. Test logo marks and nearby text separately.
Define usage rules early
Brand systems work better when they define approved backgrounds, minimum contrast expectations, disallowed pairings, and safe export values.
Try it in Hue Codex
Use the free tools to test the idea immediately: pick a color, convert it, generate harmonies, build tints and shades, check contrast, and export practical CSS or palette data.
Quick answers
Logo color basics FAQ
How many colors should a logo use?
Many logos work best with one to three primary colors, plus documented single-color and reversed versions.
Should logo colors match UI colors exactly?
Sometimes, but not always. UI systems often need additional neutrals, semantic colors, and accessible variants.